I’m getting my wisdom teeth removed on Saturday.
The right side of my jaw has been hurting for the last three weeks, and I’ve also been getting headaches on the right side of my head. I saw the dentist right before I went to San Diego, and he said they needed to come out.
I’ve heard bad things about wisdom-teeth removal. My brother’s ex-girlfriend’s face got all swollen when she had hers removed, and she was home for a while. My dad didn’t get his out until he was 50, and he was miserable for a few days as well. Matt said that his experience wasn’t so bad. I’m hoping mine isn’t, either.
Coincidentally, while I was in San Diego last week, I read a passage from Cryptonomicon about one character getting his wisdom teeth removed. It turns out (of course) that it’s online (it takes up the first half of that page). It sort of scared the bejeezus out of me (not that I had any bejeezus in me — I’m Jewish). Fortunately, though, my dentist X-rayed my teeth and it doesn’t seem like there’ll be a problem.
I’ll still be happy when it’s over, though.
For me, i had both sets impacted. The doctor gave me the choice of having it done in two differen sessions. If your case is similiar, do not space out the procedure; Have them done all at once. I cannot imagine having to go through that experience twice.
Other than that, plan on having a few days off from work and having some prescription-med fun in the meantime.
Also, i’ve often wondered why our bodies so poorly designed when it comes to wisdom teeth. I mean, reflecting on my ColonialHouse viewing, what did our ancestors do? Have someone gauge away at the inner-jaw with a pick and then chissel the teeth out ?? Or did they just live with the eternal pain, or does it eventually subside?
I somewhat suspect the whole dentistry industry anyhow. I brush regularly, don’t drink (toxic) soda-pop, and have gone to the dentist only on the rare occassion when required (like when i volunteered for work in a govt program overseas and they forced me to). And, whenever i have gone, they always remark (with disbelief) that i have not had my teeth professionally cleaned in over 5-10 years.
Something tells me that if you eat well (not too much sugar or fat) and brush frequently, you can forgoe dentists.
Maybe wisdom teeth pain is akin to the muscle cramps we felt as adolescents, temporary and part of the the body adjusting itself.
.rob adams
.rob adams
I had my two bottom wisdom teeth out about a month ago. The procedure itself was fine but the bottom half of my face did swell up quite badly. It was also difficult to eat much except soup for a few days. But, it wasn’t nearly as painful as I’d imagined it would be – I just looked odd and missed my normal food. I’m glad I had it done though. Hope it all goes well for you – I’m sure it will.
As I told you Jeff, it’s not all horror stories… I was eating solid food again the next day and didn’t have much pain or discomfort or swelling.
I had my two lower wisdom teeth yanked and then had the dreaded dry socket experience. Very painful :( Good luck!
It’s all dependent upon how impacted they are, if at all. The worst part for me was after I got home and the pain killer wore off. It hurt too much to sit, it hurt to much to stand, I couldn’t even think about eating for a day or so and had to take it easy for a few.
Plan on having it done on a Friday and taking the whole weekend to relax and recover. Tell your office what’s going on and prepare them that you may need to take Monday off, depending on how you feel.
And ask Matt (or your Mom) to come stay with you and help take care of you. It’s always good to have someone around just in case and to run out for more jello or whatever.
Why ruin a perfectly good weekend?!?!?
An early to middle work week operation is a better planned idea. And, yeah, i couldn’t imagine going through post-op at home alone. Not a good idea.
.rob adams
Rob basically asked why we have wisdom teeth, which I thought was an interesting question. From somewhere in my memory I remember that our jaws have changed over time but our teeth have not adjusted.
http://www.dentalwisdom.com says that, “Due to the way we have evolved we have shorter jaw bones but still the same number of teeth. Space is limited at the back of the mouth and as the wisdom teeth are the last to erupt they may become impacted. The term impacted means that they become jammed in between the second molars and the bone at the back of the jaw and cannot therefore erupt fully” (source: http://tinyurl.com/3a8nn)
But believe that our ancestors used them more when they had to tear meat a lot more but I can’t find out anything else.
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